(MEDORA) - On Friday night, Medora High School senior Heather Victoria Howard will gather with her classmates for one final time at the school.

Aubrey Woods of the Tribune reports that commencement is always a special time for graduates, but Howard's promises to be extra special.

"I'm the first one to graduate in my whole family, that's grandparents and all," Howard said. "My sisters didn't graduate. They are very excited for me, and I just want to make them proud."

Howard, 18, said the idea of winding up her education makes her a little nervous.
Howard said she plans to attend Ivy Tech Community College at Columbus to pursue a career as an ultrasound technician. "My sister had two babies and I saw both of them on ultrasound," said Howard, who eventually plans to pursue additional studies at Indiana University Purdue University Columbus.

Howard, the daughter of Johnie Howard, Medora, and Tonia Howard, Deputy, said art was her favorite subject at Medora.

"I was never very good at it," she said. "I like to be able to be creative and do something and be able to look at it and say, 'Wow.'" Heather's advice to younger students at Medora is to keep pushing forward and never give up.

"No matter what happens, keep your head up," she said.

She said she will miss being around the 14 other seniors who will march into the gymnasi¬um at 7:30 p.m. Friday to "Pomp and Circumstance" performed by the school band.

"I know we will see each other again, but we will never be together again," Howard said.

Senior Class Vice President Koa-LiI Hurley will lead the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Arkansas Riley Warren Morris welcoming those attending the ceremony.

Hurley will then give the Salutatorian Address and Morris will give the Valedictorian Address.

McCammon will then present the class to Superintendent Tom Judd, and school board President Darrell Persinger will present the diplomas.